The Benefits of Early Palliative Care

Many people wait to consider palliative care until much later in the process of a seriously ill loved one. There are, however, many benefits to considering palliative care at an earlier stage of the game. Take a look.

• It Helps Caregivers: Among the people who need help quickly when a loved one is dealing with a serious illness are caregivers. They want to help, but they’re not always sure about the right steps to take. Moreover, it can be tough to deal with caregiver depression and burnout. Recent studies, though, have shown that earlier palliative care is far more effective for caregivers, giving them the knowledge necessary to deal with the entire process.
• It Fights Pain: Pain affects moods, the ability to function, appetite, and sleep. Palliative care, though, can help to treat that pain and help patients deal with what must be expected and accepted along the way. Palliative care is focused on pain relief, as well as the ability to fight stress and anxiety, and nothing is more important than that at a time like this.
• It Reduces ER Visits: Recent studies have also shown that patients who decide to enlist the help of palliative care services sooner actually have fewer ER visits than those who ask for help later. The study, by Duke University, found nearly a 23% decrease in patients who went back to the hospital within a week after a long stay thanks to palliative care help. Because the pain is better managed, so too are the long-term symptoms a patient experiences.

The time to wait is long gone. To learn more about our palliative care services and how they can help both you and your loved one, contact us today.